Princess Leia mural by Muck Rock vandalized at Chewbacchus den

The memorial portrait of the late actress Carrie Fisher in the role of Princess Leia that was painted by Los Angeles artist Muck Rock in December was vandalized late Thursday (April 6) night or Friday morning. The mural, on the retractable door of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus Mardi Gras marching group headquarters at 4321 St. Claude Ave. was splashed with green paint through the bars of a security gate.

Chewbacchus co-founder Ryan Ballard, who discovered the damage, said he has no clue who attacked the artwork. He said he plans to file a police report.

The vandalization may of course be random, but Muck Rock has recently been the target of criticism for her St. Claude Avenue murals, which a few onlookers found controversial. Chewbacchus is also regularly criticized for the krewe's interpretation of Crescent City customs.

Just last week, Ballard announced that Muck Rock would reign as queen in Chewbacchus's tongue-in-cheek May 4 mini parade. The theme of the parade, which includes shoe box-sized floats, is "NOLAier Than Thou," a satire of Crescent City cultural conservatism.

In a Facebook post
Ballard vows that the krewe will "rise to the occasion and show courage in the face of hatred. The memorial portrait of our beloved princess will be lovingly restored. Jules Muck (Muck Rock) will reign with her head held high as the Queen of Shoeboxus (the mini parade mentioned above) ..."

Note: This story was updated slightly on April 7.

Photos of the vandalized Princess Leia mural by Muck Rock on St. Claude Avenue, with and without the security gate (Photos courtesy Ryan Ballard)